Salon İKSV

Salon is the performance space inside the headquarters of İKSV, the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts, which organises the city's major festivals and the Istanbul Biennial. It occupies part of the Nejat Eczacıbaşı Building on Sadi Konuralp Caddesi in Şişhane, and its modest size, 150 seated or 400 standing, makes for close contact between performers and audience.

The programme is varied and carefully curated. It takes in classical, jazz, rock, alternative and world music concerts, as well as theatre and dance performances, talks, panels and conferences. Turkish musicians appear alongside international artists, and the venue has a reputation for introducing new and interesting acts to Istanbul audiences.

Salon's season runs from the beginning of October to the end of May, with about 20 different events each month, so it is a reliable option for a night out in the cooler months. There are no regular events in summer. Tickets are sold through Passo, the Turkish ticketing platform, and at İKSV's main box office in the same building.

Check the programme on the Salon website before your trip, as many concerts sell out, and buy tickets in advance. Some events are seated and others standing, so check the format when you book. Arrive in good time, as the venue is small and the best spots go early. Because the programme is so varied, it is worth looking beyond the names you know; the venue's choices are usually a good guide. The surrounding streets of Şişhane and Asmalımescit are full of meyhanes, wine bars and cafés, so it is easy to make a full evening of it, with dinner before the show and a drink afterwards. İKSV's own festivals, including the Istanbul Jazz Festival in summer, are announced on the foundation's website if your visit falls outside Salon's season.

Salon suits music lovers, culture-seekers and visitors who want to see what is happening in Istanbul's contemporary arts scene. Şişhane metro station on the M2 line is a few minutes' walk away, as is the Tünel funicular. The bars and restaurants of Asmalımescit, the Pera Palace Hotel and the Pera Museum are close by, and İstiklal Avenue is around the corner for a drink after the show.